Nightblade tank build ideas?

deepseamk20b14_ESO · June 2016

So I've basically been running a high damage build in PvP since the start. Though I'm getting a little bored with it plus for the few times I PvE I notice how hard it is to find a tank these days. I want to make a tank build where I can switch out some stuff between PvP and PvE when needed. I would like to make a stamina based "tanker" build in PvP. So far I came up with:

2 Malubeth
5 black rose
3 agility
2 Leki

All impen, 5 heavy, 2 medium, jewellery enchanted with weapon damage. A few stamina and a few HP.

I don't want to be strictly tanking to the point of no damage so I keep agility and use leki for the weapon damage. Although I run with my guild a lot, I do like solo play mostly and a full tank build that does no damage wouldn't be to effective (at least in theory, never tried). My guess would be 1h/s main bar and 2h back bar, mainly for rally buff and emergency burst heal. I'd obviously need to shuffle around my CP. Any ideas? Are stamina blade tanks even viable in PvP or is magical based the only way to go?

I figure 1h/s bar would be:

Surprise attack
Vigor
Reverberating bash
Absorb magicka (since I don't want the reflect giving the enemy cc immunity against my RB)
Invasion
Incapacitating strikes or soul tether

Back bar would be:

Rally
Shuffle
Dark cloak
Relentless focus
Caltrops
Veil or maybe bolstering darkness

Any ideas? I have 501+ CP at the moment, am a bosmer, and a vampire.

Xvorg · June 2016

why not a sap tank with S/B permablocking? It has great sustain and siph strikes can help you to regain stam and magicka

Lokey0024 · June 2016

Swap invasion with ambush. Reverb with mass hysteria or power bash (inc strike has defile) dark cloak, mass hysteria and suprise attacks is 9% extra health on a bar. Siphoning strikes will allow you to weapon dmg/reduce cost jewelry.

deepseamk20b14_ESO · June 2016

Yeah, I know magicka based SAP tanks are decent but I feel they are better in group play, solo they lack damage or at least the ones I have fought did. They could keep their HP up well enough due to swallow soul and refreshing path but they couldn't kill me due to lack of dps. Of course it could be their build or player skill but for some reason I feel a stamina tank would have better damage output.

I suppose if I really wanted to keep damage up and be a bit tanker but not depend solely on perma blocking I could also try 1h/s and 2h with 5 medium 2 heavy. Every once and awhile I run something like this minus malubeth and black rose. Maybe I should throw on malubeth and change out hundings for something else that would make me a bit tanker and give that a try.

deepseamk20b14_ESO · June 2016

Lokey0024 wrote: »

Swap invasion with ambush. Reverb with mass hysteria or power bash (inc strike has defile) dark cloak, mass hysteria and suprise attacks is 9% extra health on a bar. Siphoning strikes will allow you to weapon dmg/reduce cost jewelry.

This is the exact meta everyone plays and even I play lol. This is exactly what I'm trying to get away from lol. This isn't my first rodeo. I'm looking for a tank build because they are somewhat rare NB wise and DB brought some changes that interests me.

Lokey0024 · June 2016

Go magika then. Or use the Fighters guild spamables. Try a hellzone build with caltrops volley poison inject rearmed beast trap

SneaK · June 2016

I'm (passively) leveling Sw/B on my NB to run something like this, the plan is going to be..

5 PC Clever Alchemist (HA)
2 PC Bloodspawn or Malubeth (1/1)
3 PC Agility (two rings, back bar sword)
3 PC Potentates (Neck, Sw/B)

Sw/B
Reverb
Surprise Attack
Power Extraction
Vigor
Cloak/Mass Hysteria
Dawnbreaker

2H
Rally
Shuffle
Shades
Executioner
Cloak/Mass Hysteria
Soul Tether

This is pure thought, haven't tried it yet. I also think I will try to push Heroic Slash into the mix somehow, it has some really awesome utility.

deepseamk20b14_ESO · June 2016

SneaK wrote: »

I'm (passively) leveling Sw/B on my NB to run something like this, the plan is going to be..

5 PC Clever Alchemist (HA)
2 PC Bloodspawn or Malubeth (1/1)
3 PC Agility (two rings, back bar sword)
3 PC Potentates (Neck, Sw/B)

Sw/B
Reverb
Surprise Attack
Power Extraction
Vigor
Cloak/Mass Hysteria
Dawnbreaker

2H
Rally
Shuffle
Shades
Executioner
Cloak/Mass Hysteria
Soul Tether

This is pure thought, haven't tried it yet. I also think I will try to push Heroic Slash into the mix somehow, it has some really awesome utility.

I think with caltrops and shades that would help a lot in procing the monster set. Heroic slash is something I thought about too but I couldn't find anything I'd take off the bar for it.

SneaK · June 2016

deepseamk20b14_ESO wrote: »

SneaK wrote: »

I'm (passively) leveling Sw/B on my NB to run something like this, the plan is going to be..

5 PC Clever Alchemist (HA)
2 PC Bloodspawn or Malubeth (1/1)
3 PC Agility (two rings, back bar sword)
3 PC Potentates (Neck, Sw/B)

Sw/B
Reverb
Surprise Attack
Power Extraction
Vigor
Cloak/Mass Hysteria
Dawnbreaker

2H
Rally
Shuffle
Shades
Executioner
Cloak/Mass Hysteria
Soul Tether

This is pure thought, haven't tried it yet. I also think I will try to push Heroic Slash into the mix somehow, it has some really awesome utility.

I think with caltrops and shades that would help a lot in procing the monster set. Heroic slash is something I thought about too but I couldn't find anything I'd take off the bar for it.

Possibly replace cloak and put it on the front bar, remove shades from back bar cause HS inflicts minor maim too. Have cloak and mass hysteria on the back bar.

Could work Caltops in place of Executioner if you end up doing enough dmg to not need the execute.

kylewwefan · June 2016

Scourger procs when you take damage. Impen is not so good for PvE. Pierce armor from shield/sword or inner fire (undaunted) are you main tank tools for taunts. Just my 2 cent.

Maybe swap out the agility set for endurance or something, put reduce block cost enchants. Gold out the shield you choose for S/B bar, add healthy enchant on it. I don't know any tank that does really good damage. You can easily swap gear around to suit the situation. Most regular dungeons, you probably be alright with a mix build. Trials are a bit different. Some tanking, you're kiting stuff around the room. Others you have to sit there and take it perma blocking.

SneaK · June 2016

kylewwefan wrote: »

Scourger procs when you take damage. Impen is not so good for PvE. Pierce armor from shield/sword or inner fire (undaunted) are you main tank tools for taunts. Just my 2 cent.

Maybe swap out the agility set for endurance or something, put reduce block cost enchants. Gold out the shield you choose for S/B bar, add healthy enchant on it. I don't know any tank that does really good damage. You can easily swap gear around to suit the situation. Most regular dungeons, you probably be alright with a mix build. Trials are a bit different. Some tanking, you're kiting stuff around the room. Others you have to sit there and take it perma blocking.

PvP forum section Teddy Brosevelt..

kylewwefan · June 2016

SneaK wrote: »

kylewwefan wrote: »

Scourger procs when you take damage. Impen is not so good for PvE. Pierce armor from shield/sword or inner fire (undaunted) are you main tank tools for taunts. Just my 2 cent.

Maybe swap out the agility set for endurance or something, put reduce block cost enchants. Gold out the shield you choose for S/B bar, add healthy enchant on it. I don't know any tank that does really good damage. You can easily swap gear around to suit the situation. Most regular dungeons, you probably be alright with a mix build. Trials are a bit different. Some tanking, you're kiting stuff around the room. Others you have to sit there and take it perma blocking.

PvP forum section Teddy Brosevelt..

Oops! I didn't know tanking was a thing in PvP? Well, anyways.....Scourger procs when you take damage. If that's all I can add to the topic. And forget the thing about taunts. It won't work on real players.

SneaK · June 2016

kylewwefan wrote: »

SneaK wrote: »

kylewwefan wrote: »

Scourger procs when you take damage. Impen is not so good for PvE. Pierce armor from shield/sword or inner fire (undaunted) are you main tank tools for taunts. Just my 2 cent.

Maybe swap out the agility set for endurance or something, put reduce block cost enchants. Gold out the shield you choose for S/B bar, add healthy enchant on it. I don't know any tank that does really good damage. You can easily swap gear around to suit the situation. Most regular dungeons, you probably be alright with a mix build. Trials are a bit different. Some tanking, you're kiting stuff around the room. Others you have to sit there and take it perma blocking.

PvP forum section Teddy Brosevelt..

Oops! I didn't know tanking was a thing in PvP? Well, anyways.....Scourger procs when you take damage. If that's all I can add to the topic. And forget the thing about taunts. It won't work on real players.

I've been seeing more and more tanks show up out there. And it does seem like some of them think taunting in PvP works, so you might have just enlightened some readers, ha.

deepseamk20b14_ESO · June 2016

The build is for PvP. When I mentioned PvE I meant as I can go mess around as a tank in PvE and just switch out gear and skills but wouldn't have to keep swapping attribute points to go back to my DPS setup.

Yeah, both malubeth and blood spawn sets proc when being attacked. I said monster sets to kind of blanket statement other sets that might be good, I just haven't listed those ones yet.

Honestly, I'm thinking 5 ravager, 2 blood spawn, 3 endurance (I can swap out for agility if I want) all weapon damage enchants, 2 leki -weapon with damage enchant and all armor impen or at least 7 impen one sturdy. Stamina on all pieces and use attribute points to play with health. Cheaper to change than enchants. CP will focus on cost reduction instead of regeneration.

Put shades and caltrops on the bar to increase uptime of ravager proc. Armor should be plenty high enough that with shadow barrier and the occasional blood spawn proc it'll be way up there. Goal for HP is 28k to 30k. Siphoning attacks could be an option as well. As much as like shuffle I might actually test mirage out. I can care less about the major expedition from double take for this build. Plus mirage will add some more defense as well. If blood spawn doesnt work out malubeth would be nice as well. Same chance to proc and will make my vigor and rally very nice.

SneaK · June 2016

deepseamk20b14_ESO wrote: »

The build is for PvP. When I mentioned PvE I meant as I can go mess around as a tank in PvE and just switch out gear and skills but wouldn't have to keep swapping attribute points to go back to my DPS setup.

Yeah, both malubeth and blood spawn sets proc when being attacked. I said monster sets to kind of blanket statement other sets that might be good, I just haven't listed those ones yet.

Honestly, I'm thinking 5 ravager, 2 blood spawn, 3 endurance (I can swap out for agility if I want) all weapon damage enchants, 2 leki -weapon with damage enchant and all armor impen or at least 7 impen one sturdy. Stamina on all pieces and use attribute points to play with health. Cheaper to change than enchants. CP will focus on cost reduction instead of regeneration.

Put shades and caltrops on the bar to increase uptime of ravager proc. Armor should be plenty high enough that with shadow barrier and the occasional blood spawn proc it'll be way up there. Goal for HP is 28k to 30k. Siphoning attacks could be an option as well. As much as like shuffle I might actually test mirage out. I can care less about the major expedition from double take for this build. Plus mirage will add some more defense as well. If blood spawn doesnt work out malubeth would be nice as well. Same chance to proc and will make my vigor and rally very nice.

I didn't even think about Ravager.. That would be nice to put into the mix.

acw37162 · June 2016

With everyone and their mother running Scourge these days I would definitely run 5 Fasallas over black rose even though the resources are awesome.

NB can adjust better then most with siphoning.

I would also consider Baharas Curse it's not weapon damage but AOE damage and heals that proc once every 4 attacks is pretty stout and great space control which is something a NB tankish build would lack.

(The above idea is completely stolen from GilliamtheRouges Bloodletter build which I intnent to use with 5 Tavas instead of leeching because well I don't have 5 leeching and have no desire to grind 5 infused leeching)

If your not running cloak I would find a place for radiant magelight on your moving or idle bar to protect yourself but that's just me.

deepseamk20b14_ESO · June 2016

acw37162 wrote: »

With everyone and their mother running Scourge these days I would definitely run 5 Fasallas over black rose even though the resources are awesome.

NB can adjust better then most with siphoning.

I would also consider Baharas Curse it's not weapon damage but AOE damage and heals that proc once every 4 attacks is pretty stout and great space control which is something a NB tankish build would lack.

(The above idea is completely stolen from GilliamtheRouges Bloodletter build which I intnent to use with 5 Tavas instead of leeching because well I don't have 5 leeching and have no desire to grind 5 infused leeching)

If your not running cloak I would find a place for radiant magelight on your moving or idle bar to protect yourself but that's just me.

Fassala is still on my radar. I played a little bit with the 5 pc and that stacked with disease damage and reverberating bash was not to shabby. However those depending on HoTs like vigor generally aren't overly affected by it. First couple tics are small but the rest combined with dodge rolls and another heal allows them to heal up fast since they are on the defense and not hitting you. This means once they stop attacking they won't get the debuff.

Something like crest of cyrodiil might not be bad since it's based on us attacking them, not us getting hit by them. Only 33% healing debuff but it stacks with RB. There is another that has 20% chance to cause 50% healing debuff for 5 seconds which doesn't sound to bad either, I just can't remember the name of it at the moment.

As crappy as cloak has been I'm going to skip it on this build. I may tool around with dark cloak for extra damage mitigation but there are other skills on the bar I consider more valuable.

I'll check out those other sets you're talking about.